Question

While assisting a full-term pregnant female in delivering her baby, what may be required to deliver the lower (second) shoulder?

A. massage the uterus
B. Apply gentle downward traction to the head
C. Apply resistance to the head
D. Guide the head up slightly

Answer 1

To deliver the lower shoulder during the second stage of labor, one must guide the baby's head up slightly after the first shoulder is born then follow with a gentle downward traction.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the second stage of labor, delivering the lower (second) shoulder of the baby may require applying gentle downward traction to the head. Once the baby's head is delivered, having faced downward, it takes a 90-degree turn to align the shoulders with the birth canal. Guiding the head up slightly (also known as the 'restitution') helps in the delivery of the anterior shoulder. Following this, the delivery of the posterior shoulder is aided by a slight downward movement or traction. This combination of movements allows for the gentle negotiation of the baby's shoulders through the birth canal, facilitating a smooth delivery of the second shoulder.